Frequently Asked Questions
General
Travel advisors provide peace of mind and take care of the nitty-gritty details. They’re dedicated travel experts who offer destination insights and coordinate with trusted suppliers. This allows you to focus on your experience, not worrying about logistics.
The support doesn’t end at trip planning, either. Travel advisors handle bookings, coordination, scheduling transfers, and more.
Here’s what makes you and Happy Passport Travel a good match.
You…
…are seeking a custom international itinerary or are a solo traveler wanting to see the world.
…value unique and immersive experiences.
…are open to new cultures and locations.
…seek meaningful travel experiences, not a check-it-off-the-list-for-the-lowest-cost type of trip.
…commit to being responsive and communicative–this is critical when creating your ideal proposal.
As your travel advisor, I promise to create your custom travel experience, using my resources and knowledge to give you a meaningful and valuable travel journey. I’ll respond promptly during the proposal process, prepare you for your trip, and reach out post-trip to gain any insights.
Becoming a destination specialist requires additional training, typically led by an official tourism board. Getting these certifications, even if it’s a destination I’ve traveled to, gives me more insight into each location. This gives me more knowledge and resources to match my clients with the right places, time of year, and activities.
You’ll see locations where I’m a certified destination specialist throughout the site. Don’t see your ideal location yet? Don’t worry—I love destination training and continually complete more!
Yes, yes, and yes! I have traveled solo to several locations, and it’s been one of my most fulfilling travel experiences. I love enabling others to do the same and leveraging my travels to guide you.
Solo travelers have many options, from going fully independent to having various group-style trips. The right fit will depend on you.
And for the solo women travelers, don’t worry—I got you! I have extensive research (and experience) on solo female travel.
Visit the Services page for more information on solo travel.
Services
Custom international itineraries and solo travel itineraries. This includes the consultation call, research, proposal development and refinement, flight research, and management during your trip. Visit the Services page for more details.
Anywhere outside the U.S.! Happy Passport Travel’s mission is to share the joy of traveling the world and seeing entirely new places and cultures.
This includes Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
This will depend on your specific trip and what will make it a life-changing experience for YOU! Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, nature lover, or any combination, the itinerary and activities will be catered specifically to you.
To give you an idea, some of my experiences include a guided tour of the Colosseum in Rome, a Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin, island hopping in Hvar, a culinary tour in Singapore, a walking tour of the history of Split, a guided bike tour in Lisbon, and a private chef in Costa Rica. The options are endless!
If you want a specific sight or experience, mention it in your Travel Consultation Interest Form.
Yes and no. After booking land travel, accommodations, and experiences, you will always receive flight recommendations as part of your Trip Planning and Management fee.
I can book the flights if you prefer; however, I typically recommend clients self-book their flights for the best experience. Your specific situation will be discussed and determined during our consultation call.
Do not include flights in the anticipated budget on your Travel Consultation Interest form. You’re responsible for researching flight prices before submitting interest so you know what to expect.
Happy Passport Travel does not book Airbnb, VRBO, or other rental properties that cannot provide guaranteed service, quality of accommodation, or individual support. Experience and customer service are priorities; unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the level of service with those rental types.
Trip Planning + Management Fee
The Trip Planning & Management Fee is a non-refundable fee paid after the consultation and before I begin research and planning.
This fee covers my time curating the best trip for you. This includes connecting with suppliers, researching, creating a custom itinerary, and revising the itinerary to meet your expectations.
It also includes general trip preparation, management during your trip, and any post-trip follow-ups needed.
The fee depends on various factors, including the specific trip type and number of travelers. During your consultation, we’ll discuss this in detail so you know what to expect.
The fee is one-time per trip and encompasses the trip planning and management services—no surprises here!
Consultation
Complete a Travel Consultation Interest Form. Happy Passport Travel will email you within 48 hours to discuss the next steps in scheduling your consultation.
The earlier, the better! Happy Passport Travel recommends a minimum of 90 days before your anticipated departure date.
If your departure date is less than 90 days, I may be unable to accommodate your trip.
Here are some “to-dos” before submitting a form.
Confirm you are seeking custom international travel or a solo travel itinerary.
Research flight prices to your destination within your desired timeframe.
Determine your anticipated budget range, excluding flights.
Have a valid passport for travel during your desired timeframe.
Have some general trip preferences in mind, like specific cities, must-see sights, bucket list items, what you want out of this trip, etc.
Read the “Acknowledgement + Agreement” section above the Travel Consultation Interest Form.
We’ll discuss your location(s) and why you want to go there in detail. This helps craft your unique itinerary! Come prepared to answer questions about your preferences, any must-see sights, and what you want to get from this trip. We will also finalize the Trip Planning & Management Fee, my promise to you, and the next steps.
Please note that the consultation is entirely free. You only pay the Trip Planning & Management Fee upon deciding we want to work together.
Ready? Click here to complete your Travel Consultation Interest Form.
The consultation is free. Yes, 100% free!
I want to use this time to understand what you’re looking for, how I can create the ideal trip, and ensure you want to work with Happy Passport Travel. There is no cost until the Trip Planning & Management Fee, which will be discussed during our call and paid only after we agree to work together.