Frequently Asked Questions
Additional details for each of the travel planning services can be found here.
Custom Door-to-Door Itineraries
Start by asking yourself these questions:
– Is it hard for you to take a vacation because you don’t have time to *plan* your vacation?
– Are you overwhelmed by the amount of travel information available on the internet?
– Do you want to arrive with an organized plan (with some built-in flexibility) in order to maximize your time each travel day?
– Are you afraid you’ll miss something on your trip that was a “must-see?”
– Is this your first trip to Europe but you’d like to arrive feeling the same confidence of a return visitor?
– Have you been to Europe before but want to discover new sites and towns off the beaten tourist track?
– Do you enjoy traveling independently but want the same time efficiency a group tour offers?
– Would you like to just arrive in Europe and have it all figured out already?
If you answered “yes” to any – or all – of these questions, then yes, this service was MEANT for you!
It all starts with a conversation (via email or phone) and your completion of the Traveler Questionaire (where you tell me everything about your interests, travel style, where you’ve traveled before, etc).
Once my services are retained, I follow a 5-Step Itinerary Process. Most of our communication will take place via email. Sometimes it will serve us best to discuss your travel preferences and review itinerary drafts over the phone, but this is up to you. Any calls will be scheduled in advance (30 minutes sessions; nights and weekends are available).
My itinerary service includes unlimited itinerary revisions and unlimited travel advice so that you can be confident in knowing that the itinerary isn’t done until you say it is.
By hiring me, a professional travel planner, you benefit from the knowledge and experience that I have collected over a decade in both my own travels and planning trips for my clients. I like to describe what I provide for you as similar to the familiarity you feel when you visit a location twice – when you know exactly the route to take, the sights to see, and the best restaurant for dinner. My goal with every itinerary that I plan is that you feel that kind of low-stress confidence from Day 1.
I also love this statistic: Did you know that traveling with an itinerary can help you see approximately 30% more than you would have without one? We’ve all been there: All of that time spent standing around wondering where to go next…or, the wasted time standing in the ticket line because we didn’t realize we could order tickets online. I want to help you avoid losing that precious vacation time and instead use it more efficiently.
This is not to say I don’t believe in down-time. Most of us are not going to enjoy our vacations very much if we are running from place to place without a break. It’s a magical thing when you can “plan” your breaks…using what might have been a wasted 30 minutes standing in a line instead to sip on a cappuccino while enjoying a scenic view.
Feel free to contact me at any time and no matter what stage of trip planning you are in. I believe that a great itinerary is crafted and evolves over time. We can start shaping it as early or as late as needed with changes being made even up to the very last minute.
Advanced Planning: Need help deciding where to go and the best time to go? We can start discussing a prospective trip well in advance (1-2 years, even).
Optimal Timeline: At about 6-8 months prior to your travel dates, this is an ideal time to start working on an itinerary outline and start securing flights and accommodations. Activities and bookings will continue to be honed as we get closer (see the itinerary design process for the steps I follow).
Last-Minute: Need an itinerary for a trip coming up next month? Next week? Contact me. If I can fit it into my schedule, I will! (Priority Service fees may apply)
Itineraries are crafted and evolve over time. I’ll be with you from the start of planning until the day you return home. For that reason, there is no set amount of time that it takes. It’s not “done” until you say it’s done – and even then we can make last-minute adjustments, as needed!
As for last-minute trips, it will depend on the length of stay and my availability, but I can usually expedite an itinerary and get it to you within 14 days (Priority Service fees may apply).
As no two travelers are alike, either are the itineraries that I create. They are 100% customized around you: your interests, preferences, lifestyle, budget, and travel pace.
I’ll ask specific questions and also count on you to share your questions and concerns with me. I aim to learn what would make your next trip to Europe your dream trip. Based on these conversations, I’ll present options and make suggestions.
You will decide what makes it onto the itinerary and what doesn’t. And with unlimited itinerary revisions, you always have the freedom to change your mind!
Yes, it is! Bring me all of your questions! I’ll get you the answer.
Yes, the Custom Door-to-Door Itinerary service covers everything! And that also means taking this tedious and sometimes stressful booking process off your plate.
While I specialize in travel planning, I am also a Travel Agent affiliated with Travel Leaders, the largest professional travel agent network in North America. Through this network, I have cultivated relationships with many hotel, cruise, and tour companies (both large and small). Thanks to the buying power of the Travel Leaders network, I am able to access the lowest available rates – the same price or lower than you would find online – and can sometimes provide you with special perks.
Due to my connections throughout Europe, anything I book for you will be at the best price available (the same price or lower than you might find online). I do not add a mark-up and my inventory is not limited to only tours, hotels, transportation, etc that pay a commission.
I will book the best option for YOU at the best price available, period.
Yes! For cities and towns, large and small. Including Iceland, and the Scandinavian countries.
Yes, sometimes and on a case-by-case basis. I love to travel and have traveled extensively throughout the United States. One of my favorite places in the world is Hawaii, one of my favorite cities is NYC, and so many in between.
Please contact me and we’ll discuss!
I can! You might like to cruise on over (pun intended!) to my Tour & Cruise Matchmaking service description. The $200 “Matchmaking Fee” includes matching you with your ideal tour/cruise operator, unlimited travel advice, booking management, and everything in between. The Custom Itinerary service can be added for the days before and after your tour or cruise at the daily itinerary rate.
I have a 4-Step Pre-Planning Process that we would follow:
1. Please fill out the contact form to schedule your free 20-minute trip consultation call.
2. In our call, we will discuss your goals and determine together which of my travel services may be the best fit for your needs (if you have not already decided).
3. Upon choosing to proceed, I will send our Service Agreement, an invoice for payment of my service fees (as listed on the Custom Itineraries page), and a Traveler Questionnaire.
In the questionnaire, you will share with me your preferences in regard to travel pace, accommodations, sight and activity priorities, budget, and more. The questionnaire is vital to the process as I use it as a basis for crafting your itinerary and providing travel advice.
4. Following the receipt of all documents – the trip planning will begin!
Travel Consulting
Personalized Travel Consulting is ideal for the traveler that enjoys booking and planning their own trips, but would appreciate the advice of a European Travel Specialist (me!) to make sure they don’t leave home with any unanswered questions.
The internet is an abyss of travel information with varying degrees of reliability. Come to me instead – I’ll be a one-stop-shop for all of your questions.
While Travel Consulting does not include a detailed sightseeing schedule (such as with my custom itinerary service), I’ll make sure you know about the sights and tours that best fit your interests, provide tips on how to maximize your sightseeing time, and review up to 3 versions of your itinerary.
Most of our communication will be done in our shared project management dashboard and/or via email. We will keep all information organized for ease of reference as you build your itinerary.
For those who like to go over things over the phone or video chat (I love speaking with my awesome clients!), my Travel Consulting service also includes up to three 30-minute calls. These are optional and by client request. Our chats will act to mostly support and review what we have discussed in email, making sure questions were fully addressed. Additional 30-minute calls can be added at $50 per session.
Yes, it is! Bring me all of your questions! I’ll get you the answer.
While I will offer advice on where to book your accommodations and which tours I think you’ll enjoy, the actual process of booking these for you is not included in the Travel Consulting service.
If you are interested in me taking care of this for you, booking IS included in my Custom Itinerary service. I will be able to get you the same price or lower than you would find online. And, I do not add a mark-up (you pay me for my service, I work for YOU, not the tour operator/hotel, etc).
My Travel Consulting service is offered for most of Europe, but not all. Rest assured, I offer travel advice for almost all of the most popular tourist destinations (ie. Rome, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Venice…etc). Contact me about where you want to go or have an interest in going, and I’ll confirm if I cover it.
My Custom Itinerary service covers both large and small cities on the continent (including those in Iceland and Scandinavia).
You know what? As a lover of travel, I have traveled quite a bit outside of Europe as well. I’d love to offer advice on some of my other favorite destinations such as Hawaii, NYC, and Tokyo. Please contact me and we’ll discuss!
Feel free to contact me at any time and no matter what stage of trip planning you are in. I’ll provide travel advice from as early on as when you’re deciding when and where to go or as last-minute as you leaving next week (depending on my availability, Priority Service fees may apply.)
I can! But not as part of my Travel Consulting service. Cruise on over (pun intended!) to my Tour & Cruise Matchmaking service description. The $200 “Matchmaking Fee” includes matching you with your ideal tour/cruise operator, unlimited travel advice, booking management, and everything in between.
You can even add a custom itinerary for the days before and after your tour or cruise at the daily itinerary rate.
If we are working together on travel advice and you decide that you’d like me to go ahead and plan your itinerary for the same trip, you can usually upgrade to the Custom Itinerary service. You will just pay the difference between the cost of the Itinerary service and the Travel Consulting (if the itinerary service is less, the Consulting plan price prevails). If you are thinking about this, ask me. We will discuss!
I have a 4-Step Pre-Planning Process that we would follow:
1. Please fill out the contact form to schedule your free 20-minute trip consultation call.
2. In our call, we will discuss your goals and determine together which of my travel services may be the best fit for your needs (if you have not already decided).
3. Upon choosing to proceed, I will send our Service Agreement, an invoice for payment of the consulting fee (as listed on the Travel Consulting page), and a Traveler Questionnaire.
In the questionnaire, you will share with me your preferences in regard to travel pace, accommodations, sight and activity priorities, budget, and more. The questionnaire is vital to the process as I use it as a basis for the travel recommendations and advice I provide.
4. Following the receipt of all documents – the trip planning will begin!
Tour & Cruise Matchmaking
There many tour companies and cruise lines operating in Europe. Each one differentiates themselves in the market by catering to their own specific niche. When you choose to work with me, I will immediately begin by asking “get to know you” questions. Your answers will help me “play matchmaker” so that I can introduce you to the option(s) that will best fit your needs and expectations.
Multi-day escorted group tours are a wonderful way experience the delights of Europe. Joining a tour is low-stress as it already includes your itinerary, transportation, lodging, guided sightseeing, and some meals.
With many great itineraries and tour operators to choose from – there is literally something for everyone! Perhaps you are interested in a 9-day tour from London to Paris or a 7-day food-themed tour through Spain?
Tour companies I work with include, but are not limited to: Globus Journeys, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, CIE Tours, Abercrombie & Kent, Intrepid Travel, Tauck, and more!
Surrender to the graceful and luxurious experience of a cruise. Many travelers are choosing a cruise for the simplicity of the experience and the pampering that many cruise lines are offering. Choose your adventure:
– River Cruise: Cruise one of Europe’s many scenic rivers and enjoy exploring the quaint villages and historic cities you encounter along the route.
– Mediterranean Cruise: With ports of call featuring everything from beaches to ruins, you will enjoy cruising through this diverse and historic region of Europe.
Each cruise line caters to a specific niche traveler and offers a variety of ships, amenities, itineraries and even themed itineraries to choose from. When you work with me, I will narrow down the choices and match you to your perfect cruise line and itinerary.
Cruise lines that I work with include, but are not limited to: Viking Cruises (both River and Ocean), AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Princess Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Azamara Club Cruises, and more!
Customer Service.
When you work with me you receive:
– A European escorted tour and cruise expert. I hold travel specialist certifications with the best English-language tour and cruise operators in Europe. I use my knowledge and expertise of these brands – which range from mid-level to luxury – to match you with the operator that best reflects your style and preferences. And, after identifying your perfect tour or cruise operator and sightseeing itinerary, I’ll guide you through the rest of the decisions – from selecting optional excursions to choosing your cruise cabin category.
– Unlimited Travel Advice I’ve spent over a decade traveling Europe and planning and booking trips for my clients. As a part of my service, you will benefit from my experience and get unlimited travel advice – from destination tips to quoting and booking – so you can enjoy a worry-free European vacation.
– Your personal travel advocate. If trouble should arise before, during, or after your trip, contact me and I will get to work to resolve it on your behalf.
– Assistance in making special arrangements. Whether it be ordering a special meal due to dietary requirements, if you need mobility assistance, or are celebrating a wedding anniversary – I will coordinate with the tour company or cruise line on your behalf.
– Transportation Booking I’m the only resource you’ll need when it comes to booking your travel. I will book your international flight as well as any travel within Europe (planes, trains, automobiles – and ferries!).
– Pre- and Post- Tour/Cruise Hotel Booking Arriving before your scheduled tour or cruise departure or staying after it ends? I will take care of booking your additional nights in a hotel, too!
I am affiliated with Travel Leaders, the largest professional travel agent network in North America. Through this network, I have cultivated relationships with many hotel, cruise, and tour companies (both large and small).
The buying power of the Travel Leaders network provides me with access to the lowest available rates – at the same price or lower than you might find online. I always keep up to date with the latest promotions and value-added perks such as onboard credit, free photos, pre-paid gratuities, discounted airfare, and free upgrades.
I will also keep an eye out for price reductions. If the price drops after booking, I will try to rebook you at the lower rate, get you a refund, on-board credit, or an upgrade.
The Matchmaking Fee covers the time spent getting to know your travel style, researching and preparing quotes, my Unlimited Travel Advice (a $600 value), and booking of all elements of your vacation.
While tour and cruise operators do compensate me with a commission for booking your trip, my priority is to book the one that fits you best – not the one that offers the highest commissions. When you choose to work with me, you can be sure that I’m working in your best interest.
Yes, a Custom Itinerary can be added for the days before and after your tour or cruise at the daily itinerary rate.
Europe is my specialty and it’s where I do the bulk of my bookings and have my certifications. However, I do have experience in booking trips outside of Europe (as well as having personally traveled on them).
If you’re interested in working with me for a destination outside of Europe, please contact me and we’ll discuss!
The Booking Process for my Tour & Cruise Matchmaking service is as follows:
1. We will start by discussing, either by phone or email, what you have in mind for your trip. Whether you are looking for a tour or a cruise and what kind of itinerary you have in mind. We will discuss how I can help you by matching your individual preferences with the tour or cruise that is the best fit for you.
2. If you decide to proceed with our working together, I will send an invoice for payment of the Matchmaking Fee.
3. Once my services are engaged and the matchmaking fee paid, I’ll ask you some “get to know you” questions. Your answers will help me “play matchmaker” so that I can introduce you to the option(s) that will best fit your needs and expectations
4. I will present up to 3 quotes for tours and cruises that I recommend as the best match for you. Additional quotes or options may be provided at my discretion or you can request additional quotes at an additional $50 per quote.
Note about quotes: A single quote is a specific itinerary and cruise/tour company. Variations, such as cabin category or travel dates, on the same itinerary and with the same company are still considered ONE quote.
Not sure which is the best solution for you?
Check out the Service Comparison Chart or simply contact me to schedule your 20-minute no-obligation trip consultation and we’ll figure it out together.