HOW PLANNING A TRIP WITH ME WORKS | WHAT A TRAVEL ADVISOR ACTUALLY DOES
I get asked this all the time: "So what does a travel advisor actually do?"
Short answer: I take the endless research out of planning your trip.
The longer answer is below — including exactly how it works, what you'll get and what I need from you to get started.
WHY WORK WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR?
Planning a trip is fun. Planning a trip well is a lot of work.
There are the 40 open browser tabs. The hotel reviews that contradict each other. The restaurant that looked amazing online and turned out to be a tourist trap.
I've spent years planning my own trips and sharing them here, and the best trips almost always come down to the same thing: knowing where to spend, where to save and what's actually worth your time.
That's what I do for you.
And a great trip doesn't have to be the most expensive one. Some of my favorite trips have been about choosing the right hotel, the right neighborhood and the right dinner reservations — not the priciest ones.
HOW IT WORKS
01. SHARE YOUR TRIP DETAILS
Fill out the form on my Plan a Trip page. Tell me where you want to go and what you're dreaming about.
Don't have a destination yet? That's okay. Tell me what kind of trip you want — beach, mountains, a food-focused city break — and we'll figure it out together.
02. I CREATE A CUSTOM PLAN
You'll get a curated itinerary with where to stay, what to do and where to eat, built around how you like to travel.
03. REVIEW + PERSONALIZE
We'll go through it together and refine the details until it feels like a perfect fit.
04. TRAVEL + ENJOY
I'll be here for any questions before and during your trip. You just go enjoy it.
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU
The more you tell me, the better your plan will be. When you fill out the form, include:
Where you want to go (or the kind of trip you're craving)
Your travel dates — or even just rough timing
How many people are traveling
Your budget per person
What a dream trip looks like to you — the vibe, the must-dos, the things you'd rather skip
TIP: Be honest about budget. It helps me find the places that are actually worth it for your trip, not just the most expensive option.
THE KINDS OF TRIPS I LOVE PLANNING
If you've been reading this blog for a while, you already know my travel style — beautiful stays, really good food and a little adventure.
A few examples of trips I'd love to help with:
A beach week like Hilton Head, where getting the neighborhood right makes the whole trip
A big island adventure like my 7-day Kauai itinerary, where splitting your stay saves hours in the car
A food-focused city trip like 4 days in New Orleans
A celebration trip — a milestone birthday, an anniversary, a getaway with friends
A winter ski weekend in New England
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How far in advance should I reach out?
The earlier the better — but it's never too late to ask! For trips within the U.S., Mexico or the Caribbean, I'd reach out 3–6 months ahead. For international trips, aim for 6–12 months, and for safaris, holidays or peak-season travel, 12 months or more. That's when the best rooms and experiences are still available.
Planning something last-minute? Reach out anyway and I'll see what I can do.
Does it cost more to book with you?
Usually, no. When I book your hotel, the hotel pays me — not you — so booking a hotel through me costs you nothing extra.
For more involved trips, like multiple destinations, transfers, restaurant reservations and hands-on support while you travel, I may charge a planning fee. If your trip has one, I'll always tell you up front, before any work begins.
What perks do I get when you book my hotel?
This is one of my favorite parts! At many of the hotels I work with, booking through me comes with VIP extras like daily breakfast for two, a hotel or spa credit, a room upgrade and early check-in or late checkout (upgrades and check-in times are based on availability).
Perks vary by hotel, and I'll always tell you exactly what's included before you book.
Do you book hotels and activities for me?
Yes! I can book your hotels, tours, cruises and experiences for you. And if plans change, a flight gets delayed or something comes up mid-trip, you have me to call instead of a customer service line.
Can you plan a trip to somewhere you haven't been?
Absolutely. Many of the places on this blog started as trips I researched from scratch, and I have a network of fellow travel advisors and hotel partners I can tap for firsthand insight. I'll always be upfront about where I've been personally and where my recommendations come from.
What if I only need help with part of my trip?
Totally fine! I can help with just where to stay, just restaurants and reservations, or just one leg of a longer trip. Tell me what you need and I'll put together a plan that fits.
READY TO GO SOMEWHERE?
Consider this your shortcut to traveling better — without overcomplicating it.
Tell me where you want to go. I'll take care of the itinerary.
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