A good advisor doesn’t just book what you’d find yourself — they know where the value actually is. That’s the private transfer that’s worth it, the room category that isn’t, the timing that avoids a five-hour layover. But it’s more than that: I have direct relationships with suppliers and local contacts on the ground in the places I plan for — people who know the restaurants without the tourist markup, the hidden gems, and how to avoid the crowds entirely. That’s knowledge you can’t Google, and it’s the difference between a trip that looks good on paper and one that actually feels the way it should while you’re living it.

I’m paid through commission from hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators — the same commission that’s already built into the price whether you book directly, through an OTA like Expedia, or through me. So working with me typically costs you the same, and often less — in fact, portals like Amex Travel and Chase Travel often mark up the same properties considerably, meaning you can pay more through them than you would working with me directly. I can frequently add things you wouldn’t get booking it yourself — hotel credits, complimentary breakfast, onboard credit, room upgrades — real value with no extra cost to you. And beyond the price itself, I make sure you’re not spending money on a room category, add-on, or activity that doesn’t actually make sense for your trip. It’s not just the same price for a booking — it’s more value for the same spend, guided by someone who knows where that value actually is. For hotel-only bookings, I also monitor pricing after you book — if a lower rate becomes available, I can cancel and rebook you at that lower price with your approval, so you’re never stuck paying more than you have to.

Yes — booking through me is the same as booking directly with the hotel. If you’re a Marriott loyalist, you still earn your Marriott points. If you’re a Hyatt Globalist, you still get your Globalist perks — room upgrades, late check-out, everything you’d normally receive booking direct. I’m not a third-party reseller; I’m booking the same rate, just with the added value and relationships I bring to the table.

No — I never book Airbnb or VRBO for my clients, and it’s not a preference, it’s experience. Pricing is rarely what it appears to be once cleaning fees, service fees, and taxes are added on top of the nightly rate. Quality is inconsistent because there’s no real vetting behind the listing photos. And if something goes wrong once you’re there — a cancellation, a safety issue, a property that isn’t what was advertised — there’s often little real support to fall back on. A hotel, resort, or villa I book comes with accountability: a front desk, a brand standard, and someone I can call directly if anything needs to be fixed. That’s the difference between hoping a stay works out and knowing it will.

Upcoming Departures have fixed dates and are ready to book — think of them like a curated tour with a set start and end. Ready-Made Journeys are fully designed itineraries (like a golf trip through Scotland or cherry blossoms in Japan) that you can book as-is or customize. Custom Travel is built entirely from scratch — your dates, your people, your vision.

I don’t book commercial flights directly, but I’ll always tell you what I’d book if it were my trip. Some Ready-Made Journeys — like round-the-world trips via private jet — include transportation as part of the package itself. Looking for help using points or miles to get there? That’s coming soon.

It depends on the type of trip. Upcoming Departures and Ready-Made Journeys have no planning fee — my compensation comes from the booking itself. For custom trips, a planning fee may apply depending on scope. I’ll walk through exactly what applies to your trip on a discovery call before any work begins.

No set minimum — every trip varies based on destination, length, and trip type. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a milestone international trip, I plan based on what fits you.

Yes — every custom trip (individual, couples, or group) starts with a discovery call. It’s how I understand what you’re actually looking for, and it’s when I’ll walk you through any applicable planning fees before we move forward.

Once your itinerary is completed and approved, additional changes are subject to a change fee — $150 for up to 2 days of changes, and $75 per day for anything beyond that, following the same structure as the original planning fee.

I’ll schedule a quick call to confirm whether you’d like the trip exactly as listed, or want to customize any part of it. Keep in mind that more than two major changes to an Upcoming Departure’s itinerary shifts it into custom trip territory, since it’s no longer the pre-built package — at that point, standard custom trip planning fees will apply.

It varies by trip — group minimums are determined case-by-case depending on the destination, trip type, and logistics involved.

Yes, I plan family trips. Keep in mind that some Ready-Made Journeys have age restrictions depending on the nature of the trip.

Absolutely. Solo travelers can have fully custom trips built just for them, and many Ready-Made Journeys and Upcoming Departures are well-suited to solo travel. I also coordinate select trips specifically for solo women travelers, which fall under the Upcoming Departures section.

The earlier the better — earlier booking almost always means better pricing and availability, and holidays especially should be booked as far out as possible since they’re some of the most in-demand travel windows of the year. For domestic and regional trips (North America, Central America, the Caribbean), a minimum of 90 days is recommended, with 6 months preferable. For international travel, plan for at least 6 months out, and for popular destinations, a full year in advance. For events or destinations with limited availability — like the Oberammergau Passion Play, which only happens once every decade, a bucket-list Arctic expedition, or a round at St Andrew’s Old Course — plan for 18 months to 2 years ahead.

Group trips require a deposit followed by a payment schedule specific to that trip. Custom trips for individuals and couples are typically paid directly to the hotel and trip providers. Full details are always provided along with your itinerary and deposit information.

It depends on the trip and the supplier. A credit card is typically required, though some suppliers require payment via ACH.

Deposit refundability depends on the specific trip and its suppliers — full details will always be stated in the Terms and Conditions for that trip.

Full cancellation terms are outlined in my Terms & Conditions, provided at booking.

I highly recommend travel insurance for every trip, regardless of size or destination — you never know what might come up, and it’s the difference between a hiccup and a real loss. I’ll provide a travel insurance quote when you pay your deposit.

I don’t handle passports or visas directly, but I provide guidance. My Travel Guides section includes a full guide on passports — renewal timelines, the rule that many countries won’t let you travel if your passport expires within 6 months of your trip, and what to watch for before you book. For visas and any destination-specific vaccination or health requirements, I’ll always list exactly what’s needed for your specific trip as part of your itinerary.

All communication while your trip is being planned and booked goes through email — it keeps everything in one consistent, trackable place. Once your trip begins, you’re welcome to reach me by text or WhatsApp for anything that comes up. If you reach out by text or WhatsApp before your trip starts, I’ll redirect you back to email to keep planning organized.

You’re never on your own. Because I only book quality accommodations and experiences — never bare-bones budget options — every trip comes with real support behind it: a contact on the ground, or attentive hotel staff and concierge. I’ll always tell you exactly what support looks like for your specific trip before you book, so you know who to call and what to expect if anything comes up.