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A great trip isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Rather, your greatest adventures are uniquely your size, reflecting your style and budget. An easy way to get personal when you travel is with customized vacation planning, which can be a private tour (meaning, you’ve hired a driver and guide to explore a destination with your preferences in mind) or a custom independent trip (meaning, many elements—like accommodations, transportation, entertainment and dinner reservations—have been pre-booked for you, each one reflecting your tastes).
An expert travel agent is a great resource for customized vacation planning, recommending drivers and guides, or making all the many vacation reservations for you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a customized vacation or privately guided trip.

Know the Benefits

It just makes sense that the more personal the approach, the more satisfying the outcome. This is true is all areas of life, and especially when it comes to travel. After all, you’re spending valuable vacation time and money to have your best vacation experiences—and the more personal, the better!

There are many benefits to having at trip tailor-made to your specific needs; here are just a few:

• Confidence: Wondering if you might be missing an experience you’d love is a terrible worry to have while traveling, and customized vacation planning diminishes that concern. Instead, you can travel in confidence, knowing your private tour or custom independent trip inherently reflects the things you like most.
• Ease: Unless you’re planning on lounging on the beach for the duration of your stay, a trip is not necessarily a restful event. Think about it: You’re on the move, staying in new places, meeting new people, trying new things, transporting your belongings and possibly speaking a different language than you speak at home while navigating a new culture. How exhausting! With a trip designed just for you, however, you can rest assured that your i’s have been dotted and your t’s have been crossed, and that what’s in store for you is specifically designed to please (and ease) you.
• Special Pricing: We have access to travel deals and discounts only available when you book more than one trip element at a time.
• Getting Personal: Custom planning can include as little or as much as you want, from airfare plus transportation plus hotel, to private guided services, to simply joining an existing tour for a day.

Know Where to Go

Popular areas for customized vacation planning include Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean (where island-hopping is best when personalized and planned ahead). What do all these areas have in common? They are all destinations within destinations, meaning they are big and offer so many options that there might not be an organized group tour that covers everything you want to do in one visit. So you pick a city—say Amsterdam or Auckland—or a spot—like the French Riviera or the Gold Coast—and you tailor an itinerary to include the sites you most want to see so your experience meets, or exceeds, your expectations.

Travel by Darcy specializes in planning customized trips worldwide. Contact us today for your initial consultation!

* Please note “plan to go” deposits may be required on some trips in order to start the quoting and planning process. Contact us for more information

There is perhaps no vacation as sacred as a rendezvous with that special someone. Whether it’s your first trip away as a couple, or a celebratory trip honoring your 50^th anniversary, in these special moments together that the two of you can focus on each other, and the things you both enjoy most.

To ensure you love the trip as much as you love each other, it is vital that you enlist the help of an expert travel agent to match you with the top romantic destinations (or top honeymoon spots) and accommodations that best reflect the two of you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a romantic vacation or honeymoon.

Know Where to Go

Some destinations seem specially designed for lovers, and here’s a quick look at several top romantic spots:

Tahiti: This exotic destination is easy to get to (just an 8-hour flight from Los Angeles) and offers an appealing Polynesian culture and utterly romantic accommodations in the form of private, overwater bungalows. Think about cruising the islands of Tahiti to sample multiple destinations (while only having to unpack once).

Jamaica: This diverse island has everything from beautiful beaches to coffee plantations, mountains (with waterfalls!), spas, horseback riding and golfing. While perhaps best-known for its all-inclusive, adult-only resorts like Sandals, Couples Resorts and Secrets, Jamaica has a resort for every budget and interest.

St Lucia: This lush island can certainly keep you busy with a number of outdoor activities, but we suggest you succumb to its relaxed pace and romantic mood. Here, most resorts are built into the hillside so your room, suite or villa will probably have the kind of dramatic ocean views seemingly made for romance. There are three Sandals properties on the island as well as several condo and boutique-style accommodations ideal for a romantic getaway.

Dominican Republic: This inviting destination has activities like water sports and golf, but you might find the DR puts you in the mood to simply relax and be together. There are dozens of resort types here, including the one we prefer most: boutique, beachfront resorts that provide personalized service and cater to couples.

Italy: This dreamy destination—the land of “amore”—consistently ranks in the top 5 honeymoon destinations worldwide each year . . . and it’s no wonder: Between the history, the people, the food, the wine, the villas, the shopping and the views, Italy’s tantalizing diversity offers something for everyone.

Paris: This chic city is all about love and romance—think of embracing at the top of the Eiffel tower, cruising along the Seine, walking the halls of the Louvre hand in hand, buying each other something special in a nearly hidden boutique and toasting each other over an exquisite French dinner. Ooh, la, la.

Mexico: This easy-going destination has an inviting culture, impressive cuisine and affordably luxurious accommodations!  If you’re based in North America, this is the perfect destination for a quick trip, or a close-to-home—but not too close—honeymoon destination for those looking to stretch their vacation dollars.

Know Where to Stay

When it comes to lighting your fire, a generic hotel room might not cut it. Instead, consider truly unforgettable (and romantic!) alternatives like overwater bungalows in Tahiti, tented camps in Africa, luxury hotels in Paris, villas in Italy or private verandah staterooms on cruise ships. Think about where you’ll be returning to each night, and prioritize those elements (like a view) that matter most. Sure, there are many choices, but the good news is we can make quick work of helping you decide which romantic option is best for the two of you.

Book in Advance

If you have your heart set on a certain spot, don’t procrastinate—book 6-9 months in advance (this might also make it easier to get a deal). This is especially important if you’re traveling during the destination’s high season or interested in doing a payment plan.

Budget Beyond Your Wedding

Our best honeymoon planning tip is to budget for your wedding and your honeymoon. There’s nothing more disappointing than cutting corners and compromising on the trip that should usher in your married life in style.   If you’re planning to take a honeymoon after the wedding or planning a year in advance, you may want to consider doing a honeymoon registry.

Want to count on love at first sight when it comes to your romantic vacation or honeymoon?

Contact us for a free consultation and get matched up with your perfect destination and accommodation.

Complete my Honeymoon Questionnaire

 

For many, the love of travel begins in childhood, with a family vacation taken across the state or across the world. And, year after year, it’s these shared family experiences that create lasting bonds and lifelong memories.

A great family vacation is as unique as each family. With near-endless vacation options, it’s smart to enlist the help of an expert travel agent to match you with the top family friendly destinations and accommodations that are perfect for your family. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a family trip.

Define Your Version of “Family”

Your family vacation doesn’t have to include only those who live in your house. Invite your parents along. Extend an invitation to your siblings. Ask the kids to bring a friend! Today, just as families come in all shapes and sizes, so do family trips. Multigenerational travel—or traveling with kids, parents and grandparents—is especially popular because it gives all members of your extended family a chance to spend quality time together while enjoying a destination . . . and, if your kids are little, it affords you built-in babysitters!

Know Where to Go with Kids

You can enjoy a family vacation almost anywhere, it’s true, but here’s a quick look at several top family friendly destinations that offer the most for every member of your family:

• Alaska: This US state has an abundance of wildlife and adventure; it’s ideal for families who love the great outdoors and are looking for unforgettable bonding experiences.
• Hawaii: This US state has great family friendly beaches and a variety of family friendly resorts and condos; each Hawaiian island appeals to families for different reasons based on its own personality and offerings.
• Caribbean: This alluring destination has many islands to choose from—it’s wise to pick an island based on where you’re traveling from, as well as your interests (water sports, outdoor adventures, new cultures, etc.)
• Europe: This historic destination can be enjoyed by younger members of the family but it’s best as a way to introduce older children to the diverse cultures, cuisines, museums and languages of Europe’s countries.
• Mexico: This affordable destination has great family friendly beaches, a strong culture, a variety of family friendly accommodations and is close to home if you’re traveling from the United States.
• Costa Rica: This nature filled destination has much to offer families looking for a more adventurous twist to their holiday. From zip lining in the jungles, volcanoes to sandy beaches, Costa Rica offers a wide range of activities and accommodation options.

Know Where to Stay with Kids

When it comes to family vacations, think outside the hotel room. You’ll find much more room—and often a real travel deal—when you stay in a suite hotel, condominium, villa rental or apartment rental or when you enjoy an all-inclusive family vacation or a family cruise (cruising with kids is especially fun). Sure, there are many choices, but the good news is we can make quick work of helping you decide which family friendly vacation option is best for your family.  One of our favorite all-inclusive resort options are the Beaches resorts in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos.

Get Tips for Traveling with Children

Contact us for personalized tips for traveling with your children based on essential elements like their ages and interests. Beyond that, our best tip is to get out there and do it: When you travel with your kids, you truly give them the world.

Travel by Darcy specializes in crafting the perfect family getaway! From all-inclusive resort vacations, cruises and tailor made itineraries. 

Ready to get started? Complete my Family Travel Questionnaire