One of the favorite parts of my job is to work with people planning their trip, particularly from the very beginning. I enjoy the conversations for this is what I do! This may all sound so obvious but it is amazing how many calls I get that begin with “We want to do (such and such) or maybe something else and on (maybe this or that date.) Will you (meaning me) give me an idea of the cost?”
With planning your trip, several details are essential before I can move forward. In no particular order but from the beginning these three decisions need to be made:
Who is going? Are they really on board? Or is this just a fantasy trip?
When are you going? Are the “who” ok with the when?
Where are you going? And are they all ok with the where?
The who, when or where guides the plan. Years ago, a couple came to me and wanted to go skiing on their honeymoon, the first week in November. Where is there guaranteed snow? Or another client wanted to go to Thailand in the early fall. It can be very, very wet during that time of the year. Sometimes the where and who do not match. Recently, I had a couple with an infant child wanting to take a river boat cruise in Europe. No river boat cruises allow infant children. If you have a small group planning a trip together, it is essential these three decisions need to come together first.
This being said and decided, “the how much” is the next decision. It is usually what ever you want it to be. On any given trip you can spend as much or as little as you wish. So you will always hear from me, right away, “What is your budget?” In the end, the budget guides the details.
Most destinations you can experience in a variety of ways. For example, there is a tour operator that does Costa Rica for $1,099 per person for 7 days and another that costs $2,750. Are they the same? No, but the birds and the volcanos are.
Waterfall near Jaco, Costa Rica
So do a little planning, agreeing, and deciding, then let me know and leave the details to me.
AlwaysHarriet 