Andres SerraMost advice on how to plan a trip when you have no time starts with “begin six months early,” which is useless if you’re reading this three weeks out with a full inbox. After planning hundreds of trips for myself and others, I’ve learned that the time drain was never the trip itself. It’s the endless … Read more
Most articles on how much a travel planner costs manage to talk for a thousand words without ever giving you a number. I’ll do the opposite. After years of planning trips for myself and others, here’s the honest headline: most travel planners charge somewhere between $100 and $1,500 to plan a trip, depending on the model … Read more
Planning a high-quality family holiday sounds like a treat until you’re twenty tabs deep, trying to line up a villa that sleeps six, flights where you’re actually sitting together, activities that suit both a toddler and a teenager, and a pace that doesn’t leave anyone in tears by day three. I plan these trips for a … Read more
A travel planner takes your ideas, budget, and preferences and turns them into a personalised, organised trip you can actually follow.In practice, that means doing the dozens of small, easy-to-get-wrong tasks that stand between a vague idea and a trip that runs smoothly.I’ve planned trips for years, my own and other people’s, and the difference … Read more
Ireland is small enough to cross in a day, but I could spend a lifetime exploring it.From colourful coastal towns and dramatic Atlantic cliffs to ancient castles and lively cities, there’s an incredible amount packed into this little island.The hardest part? Deciding what actually deserves a spot on your itinerary.I’ve narrowed it down to 10 … Read more
Norway is one of those countries where every time I thought I’d seen its most spectacular landscape, the next fjord, mountain, or valley somehow raised the bar again.I’ve returned several times over the years, and I still feel like I’m discovering how much there is to see. From dramatic fjords and remote Arctic islands to … Read more
Germany is one of those countries I think travelers often underestimate. Berlin and Munich get most of the attention, but some of my favorite experiences are found beyond the big cities.I’ve discovered medieval towns that look almost untouched, explored castles tucked into mountains, wandered through beautiful river valleys, and eaten far more regional food than … Read more
Slovenia surprised me with just how much it manages to squeeze into such a small country. I went from Alpine lakes and mountain valleys to medieval towns, enormous cave systems, vineyards, and the Adriatic coast, often without spending more than a couple of hours in the car.What I loved most was how easy it was … Read more
Slovakia surprised me with just how much it packs into such a small country. I found medieval castles, beautiful old towns, traditional villages, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Central Europe, often without the crowds I’d expect elsewhere.From hiking in the High Tatras to wandering through centuries-old mining towns, Slovakia gave me … Read more
Before I visited North Macedonia, I didn’t expect it to become one of my favorite countries in the Balkans. Then I found crystal-clear lakes, dramatic canyons, centuries-old monasteries, welcoming towns, and some of the friendliest people I’ve met while traveling. If you’re looking for a destination that still feels wonderfully undiscovered, this is it. Here are my … Read more