Personalized Travel Planning for Curious Travelers
Wondering whether it’s worth working with a travel advisor? If you’re looking for a thoughtfully designed trip, expert guidance, and someone to help you make informed decisions before and during your travels, the answer is often yes.
I work with travelers who value meaningful experiences, careful planning, and a collaborative approach. Rather than selling pre-packaged vacations, I create itineraries tailored to your interests, travel style, and priorities.
What It’s Like to Work Together
The NLT Journey is a thoughtful, collaborative process designed to make planning feel clear and travel feel seamless.
1. DISCOVER — We Start with a Conversation
Every trip begins with a complimentary consultation. We’ll talk about where you want to go, how you want the experience to feel, your priorities, budget, and any questions or concerns you may have.
Just as importantly, we’ll determine whether we’re the right fit for one another.
2. DESIGN & REFINE — I Create Your Personalized Plan
Once we decide to move forward, I begin researching and shaping your trip. Depending on your needs, this may include:
- Destination and itinerary recommendations
- Cruise line and sailing comparisons
- Hotel selection
- Transportation and logistics
- Private guides and locally rooted experiences
- Dining and activity recommendations
- Travel insurance guidance
- Budget planning
- Coordination with trusted partners around the world
Together, we’ll refine the details until the trip feels right. My goal is a balanced, intentional itinerary that helps you make the most of your time while leaving room to explore, slow down, and enjoy unexpected moments.
3. ARRANGE & TRAVEL — You Travel with Confidence
Once the plan is approved, I coordinate the reservations and details that bring it all together.
Before departure, you’ll receive an organized itinerary with your confirmations, logistics, and recommendations in one convenient place. We’ll also review the trip together so you know what to expect and can leave feeling prepared.
While you’re traveling, you have someone who knows your trip and can help if questions or unexpected issues arise.
4. REFLECT & IMAGINE — We Look Back and Ahead
After you return, I want to hear how it went: what you loved, what surprised you, and what you might do differently next time. Your feedback helps me understand you better as a traveler and continually improve the experiences I create.
Then, whenever you’re ready, we can begin imagining where your next journey might take you.
My Areas of Expertise
While I can assist with many types of travel, my primary focus is:
- River cruising
- Expedition and small-ship travel
- Custom Europe itineraries
By concentrating on these specialties, I can provide deeper insights and more tailored recommendations than a generalist approach allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge planning fees?
Yes. Most custom itineraries include a planning fee based on the complexity of the trip. This reflects the time spent researching options, comparing suppliers, designing your itinerary, and providing personalized recommendations and support.
How much are your planning fees?
Fees vary depending on the scope of the trip and will be discussed upfront before any work begins. I believe in being transparent so there are no surprises, but they typically range from $200-400.
Do you book airfare?
Yes. Air booking is available for a separate booking fee of $50 per ticket.
Can I book some parts of the trip myself?
Absolutely. Some clients prefer to handle certain components independently while relying on me for others. We’ll discuss what arrangement makes the most sense for your needs.
Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking online?
Booking websites can display options. They can’t learn your travel style, identify tradeoffs, or tell you when two seemingly similar choices will lead to very different experiences.
My role is to help you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and create a trip that reflects your priorities rather than an algorithm’s.
Is Working Together the Right Fit?
You may be a great fit if you:
- Value expertise and personalized recommendations
- Prefer quality over checking off as many destinations as possible
- Appreciate balanced itineraries with time to explore independently
- Want support navigating the many decisions involved in planning travel
I’m committed to finding strong value for my clients, but I don’t have access to a special “cheaper” button or a lower price for every trip. Large-volume retailers and online booking sites may occasionally offer pricing I cannot match.
My role is to help you make thoughtful choices about where to spend, where to save, and which options best support the experience you want. If your primary goal is simply finding the lowest available price, I may not be the right resource. If you value personalized planning, trusted recommendations, and support before and during your travels, we may be an excellent fit.
Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re considering a European adventure, a river cruise, or an expedition to one of the world’s most remarkable places, I’d love to learn more about what you’re envisioning.
Schedule your complimentary consultation and let’s start designing a journey that’s uniquely yours.
