FAQs

Do you charge fees?

Yes. As a professional in my field of travel I charge fees to my clients for using my services. Just as you might use an accountant to assist you with filing your taxes or a lawyer for legal advice, I help my clients plan and design the vacation of their dreams. My fees do differ depending on the type of travel booked, please don’t hesitate to schedule a free discovery call to see if we’re a good fit.

Why do you charge an “Initial Travel Planning Fee”?

As you can imagine, there is a lot of work and effort that goes into every stage of planning a trip for a client, even just an initial quote. I’ll be very honest and say that some people who have contacted me in the past, took my recommendations in an initial quote and booked it themselves online to get around paying my fees, wasting precious time I could be spending creating amazing vacations for other clients. I would like to work with clients who value my time, especially my experience and expertise. As a travel advisor when I make a recommendation to my clients, I’ve made personal investments to either visit the destination myself and/or have a personal connection with the hotelier, cruise line, DMC, tour operator, etc. As mentioned, my fees do differ depending on the type of trip you’re looking into as each vacation can be quite unique, please don’t hesitate to schedule a free travel planning call to see if we’re a good fit.

What type of luxury vacation experiences do you plan?

I specialize in curating luxury travel experiences tailored to discerning travelers. This includes private yacht charters, exclusive access to luxury cruises, expedition cruises, and river cruises that explore some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. I also arrange stays at five-star resorts and private villas for an elevated level of comfort and privacy. My expertise extends to designing tailor-made journeys focused on culinary adventures, wellness retreats, and experiential travel that immerse you in local culture and authentic experiences. Whether you’re dreaming of a handcrafted luxury itinerary in Europe, an exotic escape to Southeast Asia or the South Pacific, or a bespoke adventure travel experience elsewhere, I’m here to create an unforgettable journey customized to your unique preferences. Contact me today to start planning your next unforgettable luxury journey.

What is your lead time for planning vacations for clients?

For the best experience, I recommend starting the planning process as early as possible; especially for private villa rentals, safaris, custom land itineraries and luxury cruises. For these types of vacations, I highly suggest reaching out at least 12 months prior to your desired departure date to ensure the best availability and options. While I do accept some last minute travel requests on a case-by-case basis, I encourage you to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your plans and determine if your timeline is feasible.

Once your Initial Travel Planning Fee is received, you can typically expect the first draft of your custom itinerary and quotation within three to five business days. During our initial call, I will provide an updated timeline based on my current workload to set clear expectations.

I’m based in the UK, can you still help me plan my trip?

Yes I can. I currently work with clients who reside in Canada, the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. If you reside outside of these areas, please contact me to see if we can work together.

I have a few travel preferences (food allergies, hotels I prefer to stay at as I’m “Elite” status, etc), can you accommodate these requests?

Absolutely! Many of my clients have specific travel preferences, which is why my consultation form is designed to be detailed. This helps me ensure that I’m crafting the perfect holiday for you and/or your family. If there’s anything additional you’d like to share that isn’t covered in the form, please feel free to include it in the comments section at the end. The more information you provide, the better I can personalize your itinerary and recommend unique touches to make your vacation truly exceptional.

I booked a cruise with the cruise line directly last month, I’d like to work with you however. Can I transfer my cruise to you?

If you’ve booked your cruise directly with the cruise line within the past 30 days and haven’t made your final payment, you can usually transfer your booking to me. This allows me to manage your reservation and provide personalized assistance for your upcoming cruise vacation. Some restrictions may apply, as certain bookings may not be eligible for transfer. Please contact me to discuss your reservation, and I’ll be happy to explore the options available.

Can you book me just a domestic flight here in Canada?

Thank you for considering my services. While I truly appreciate your interest, I unfortunately do not book flights on their own. However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive travel experience including accommodations, day tours, transfers, travel insurance, and more; I’d be delighted to assist you in planning your journey. Please reach out and I’ll see if we’re a good fit.

Do you work with groups to plan vacations?

I collaborate with clients on select number of group vacation requests. Whether you're planning a multi-generational family getaway to a villa in Tuscany, hosting a wellness retreat in Thailand or organizing a corporate incentive cruise for 150 guests, I’d be happy to schedule a consultation to determine if I’m the right fit for your group’s travel needs. Please note that I do not manage large destination wedding groups with more than 50 guests. Please click here arrange a consultation call to see if I’d be a good fit for your group travel request.

What is your “Cancellation Fee” if I need to cancel or postpone my vacation?

Depending on your vacation and the cancellation penalties from the various travel suppliers used to book your vacation, you will be notified at time of quotation what the cancellation or change fees will be.

Are your travel planning fees refundable if I decide not to travel right now?

Unfortunately not. As mentioned before, there is a lot of time and effort that goes into planning a trip for a client. If you decide not to go forward with a vacation, the travel planning fees paid are non-refundable. If you have further questions or need clarification on your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I see you’re a “Virtuoso Travel Advisor”, what does that mean?

As an Independent Travel Advisor with Vision Travel (a Direct Travel Company) who are members of Virtuoso, I offer insider connections and industry expertise, along with the guidance and know-how you require to make educated travel choices. Virtuoso is the most prestigious and established travel network in the world. So when you travel, you can do so with confidence. Secure in the knowledge that you'll get more, simply by booking through me.

You go by the name “Wanderlust Journey”, who is Direct Travel?

I created Wanderlust Journey as my personal brand and travel blog, originally designed to offer my clients complementary resources, including travel guides and personal recommendations to help elevate their journeys. Over time, it has evolved into a dynamic platform featuring a travel blog, YouTube channel, podcast and active social media channels. As an Independent Travel Advisor, I operate in partnership with Direct Travel as my host agency, allowing me to provide expert travel planning and exclusive experiences through the Virtuoso network to my clients.

I’d like to setup a call with you to speak about my vacation plans, how do I do that?

That’s great! You can fill out my “New Client Consultation Form” by clicking here. Once you’ve filled out the form and submitted it, I’ll send you a link where you can then select a time that works for you to meet with me virtually for a complimentary 30 minute initial travel planning call.

I still have some questions, how do I reach you?

If you still have some questions and you’re not quite ready to fill out my “New Client Consultation Form”, no worries! Feel free to contact me by clicking here and we can chat by email.