Access and Recommendations
$200
Let me recommend lodging and activities for your target destination. Get access to VIP perks like upgrades and access to lounges where they exist.
Still deciding? Let’s narrow it down together.
Still brainstorming where to go? Want a sense of what hotels or vacation rentals are out there, or whether your preferred airline flies direct before you commit?
I get it. How you get there and where you stay can make or break a trip.
We’ll have a quick conversation either live, via email, or messaging about your likes and dislikes, and I’ll follow up with options worth considering. I’ll flag any opportunity for VIP perks and benefits I can attach as your travel advisor, such as room upgrades where available and hotel credits to spend at the property.
What you’ll get
For each destination: a shortlist of 2-3 accommodation options across a range of price points, with a note on why each one is on the list and what perks I can attach to it. Flight routing and fare options where relevant.
One round of revisions is included. If something isn’t landing, I’ll adjust based on your feedback. Beyond that we’ll need to step up to full trip planning, and you can decide if you’d like to continue.
What this isn’t: a day-by-day itinerary, restaurant/tour/activity reservations, or transfer logistics. That’s Full Trip Planning.
Pricing
$200 for the first destination, $150 for each additional destination, capped at three for $500.
Interested in Tokyo alone? That’s one destination. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto? That’s three.
If you go on to book through me, I’ll refund the planning fee for the destination you travel.
The refund is per destination. I.e. Book Tokyo and Kyoto through me but arrange Osaka yourself or eliminate it? I’ll refund the fees associated with Tokyo and Kyoto.
When the refund happens: on the scheduled departure date of the first thing I booked for you (Not at the moment of booking). The fee exists to cover research and legwork that doesn’t turn into a trip, so it’s returned once the trip is actually happening. For trips booked far ahead, the refund may come by bank transfer rather than back to your card.
Send me a message today
Recommendations for [DESTINATION]
Hi Mario — I know where I’m going. I’d like your recommendations on where to stay and what’s worth doing, plus whatever perks come with booking through you. Where: [DESTINATION] Dates: [TRAVEL DATES] Who’s going: [HOW MANY, AND WHO] Roughly per night: [BUDGET BAND] Already decided: [ANYTHING I’M SET ON]
Or use a form insteadApplies to every service
Refundable/Non-Refundable Bookings
I will normally default to refundable bookings. You are welcome to let me know when cost is the absolute priority and I will adjust accordingly. In rare cases where a non-refundable option is significantly more attractive, I will flag for you as well.
Travel insurance
I’ll offer the option for travel insurance on every trip involving significant prepaid cost or international travel. You’re free to decline (plenty of people are covered through a credit card or an existing policy) but I’ll always ask. Medical coverage in particular is worth double checking, especially for families.
Passports, visas, and entry requirements
As a courtesy, I’ll flag what I know about entry requirements for your destinations, including passport validity rules. For example, many countries require six months’ validity beyond your travel dates. However, final responsibility for passports, visas, and entry eligibility rests with each traveler. Requirements change and vary by nationality. Check the official source for your passport and confirm before anything bookings become irreversible.
How to reach me
Email, text, WhatsApp, LINE - whichever one you already use. I’ll match whatever channel you start on. Confirmations will always follow via email.
Most days I’m based in New York, and I travel often. If we are connecting from different time zones, please expect a delay in my response.
Fees and refunds
Where applicable, planning fees are charged when we start work and refunded on the scheduled departure date of the first booking I make for you. Group fees are non-refundable. Full terms are on the terms page.