Frequently Asked Questions
How is a modern travel advisor different from a traditional travel agent?
The role has evolved significantly. While traditional travel agents primarily focused on bookings, modern travel advisors, like us, offer comprehensive, personalized travel planning. We're experts who craft bespoke itineraries, leverage our industry connections for exclusive perks, and provide ongoing support, ensuring a seamless and enriching travel experience. Think of us as your personal travel concierge.
What's the process for planning a trip?
Initial Inquiry: Begin by submitting your travel preferences and ideas via our inquiry form [Link to Inquiry form].
Comprehensive Research: We conduct in-depth research to identify the perfect accommodations, attractions, and transportation, all tailored to your needs.
Personalized Itinerary & Booking: Once you approve your itinerary, we handle all bookings directly with our reliable travel partners, guaranteeing optimal pricing and exclusive perks.
Ongoing Support: During your trip, we're available to provide assistance, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
How does your pricing work for booking travel
We aim to make travel planning seamless and cost-effective. For simple trips where you know where you want to go, our service is complimentary. We receive commissions from travel providers, ensuring you get expert assistance without added expense. For complex, multi-destination journeys, we offer custom itinerary planning for a daily fee. This allows us to dedicate the necessary time to create a truly personalized and convenient travel experience, complete with a digital itinerary accessible on your mobile device.
Why does Grand Destinations charge a planning fee?
That's a great question! Our planning fee unlocks a wealth of personalized expertise and exclusive benefits for your travel experience. While online resources offer general information, we provide tailored insights, insider connections, and often, access to perks you won't find on your own. This fee directly supports the dedicated time we invest in crafting your perfect itinerary. We meticulously research, secure the best deals, manage all logistics, and provide ongoing support, ensuring a seamless and exceptional journey. Essentially, we're your personal travel advocate, dedicated to creating unforgettable memories while saving you time and stress. Let's explore how we can elevate your next adventure.
What is included in The Complete Package?
The Complete Package handles every detail of your journey, from personalized hotel or villa bookings and seamless transportation (including airport transfers and rail) to a meticulously crafted daily itinerary filled with unforgettable excursions, tours, and dining experiences. Whether it's a private jet with your closest friends to the hottest event of the year or your personal photographer to take the best vacation pictures and everything in between, we've got you covered!
Do you handle Airbnb or VRBO bookings?
While we don't directly book or recommend individual listings on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, we specialize in curated villa and home rentals through trusted partners. These rentals often include premium services like concierge support and private chefs. If you've already found an Airbnb or VRBO that you love, we're happy to enhance your trip with personalized itinerary planning and expert recommendations for local experiences.
When is the ideal time to book your travel services?
We recommend reaching out as soon as you've decided to travel. For optimal planning, please contact us at least 60 days before your departure. If your trip is within 30 days, we encourage you to schedule a consultation so we can assess your needs. Please note that a rush fee may apply in certain situations.