What happens in our first conversation, and does it cost anything?

There’s no fee for our first conversation. It’s how we begin to understand what your journey needs. We’ll talk about who’s traveling,

roughly when and for how long, where you’re drawn, what matters most, and anything that needs special care.

That gives me enough to understand the scope of the journey and determine your Design Investment. The design itself—researching

routes, places, hotels, experiences, and how it all fits together—begins once we’ve agreed to move forward.

How is my Design Investment determined, and when will I know it?

It's based on the scope of your journey: how long you'll travel, how many places you'll stay, who's coming, and how much complexity

is involved. A long weekend in Texas and three weeks in Italy simply require different amounts of design. You'll know the amount

before any design begins, and it stays fixed for the journey we've scoped together. If the journey itself changes, say, a new destination,

different dates, or a different group, we'll talk about a revised investment before I go further.

What exactly will I have when my Journey Blueprint is finished?

A complete design you can actually travel from, not a list of ideas. You'll know where to go and in what order, where to stay and for

how many nights, how each day flows, and how to arrive and move between places. You'll have the accommodations and experiences I

recommend, along with why each one belongs, alternates wherever availability is tight, and notes on what was available when I checked.

You'll also have a checklist to help you get ready, pointing you to the official sources for things like entry requirements. And for two

weeks after you receive it, you're welcome to ask me questions so it all makes sense before you start booking.

Do you help with flights?

Yes. How you arrive matters just as much as where you land. Flight strategy is part of the journey design, so we'll look at things like

routing, arrival times, airports, connections, and how your flight affects the rhythm of those first days.

Depending on your journey, I may also be able to arrange your flights or help you book the option we've chosen together. How

airfare is booked and who manages any later changes depends on the type of ticket and booking method, and I'll make that clear

before anything is purchased.

Have miles, status, a favorite airline, or a card benefit you want to use? Bring that into the conversation too. The goal isn't simply

finding a flight. It's finding the flight that belongs with your trip.

What happens while I'm traveling if something goes wrong?

With Full-Service, you'll leave knowing exactly who to call for what: your hotels and on-the-ground partners, your travel insurance

assistance line, and local emergency numbers. For the arrangements I've booked, I'm there to help within the support we've agreed

on, and I'll advocate with my partners when something needs attention. In a true emergency, local help and your insurance provider

come first, because they can act immediately in ways I can't from home. (It's also one reason we'll talk about travel protection while

we design.) With a Journey Blueprint, your readiness checklist helps you gather your own contacts before you go.

When should we start planning?

Ideally 6 to 12 months ahead, especially for milestone trips, peak seasons, cruises, and places with only a handful of rooms. Starting

early gives us more choices, and more time to enjoy the discovering. That said, if something is calling to you, it's always worth

starting the conversation.

Do you earn commission from suppliers, and does it affect what you recommend?

Yes, many hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators pay me a commission on what I book for you. It comes from the supplier; I don't

add it to your bill. Your Design Investment is what pays for the design itself, which means my recommendations never depend on

whether something pays commission. Sometimes the perfect choice is a little family-run place that pays nothing at all, and if it's

right for you, it's in the design. With a Journey Blueprint, the service is fully compensated by your Design Investment and doesn't

depend on supplier commission.